Vascular Dementia

Biography

Biography: Kyaien O. Conner

Abstract

Persons of African decent living in the United States have a disproportionately high rate of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), experience a high-rate of AD-related health disparities, are underrepresented in AD research and are less likely to be evaluated and treated during early stages of the disease. There is an urgent need to develop, implement and assess culturally relevant non-pharmacological interventions which may help to improve daily functioning and quality of life of African American patients living with AD. African drumming may be particularly beneficial for African Americans living with AD. This culturally relevant approach to a music intervention has the potential to impact behavioral expressions AD, social and cognitive functioning,while simultaneously enhancing pride and self-esteem. In this presentation, I will present the results of a pilot open trial which examined the African Drums for Dementia program among individuals living with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) and early stage Dementia (N= 30) and their caregivers (N=30). Overall satisfaction, with the program was high among individuals living with AD and their caregivers. Further, the African Drumming for Dementia had a positive effect on memory recall, mood, quality of life, and self-esteem among patients and among caregivers this intervention improved mood, self-perceived community and support, quality of life, self-esteem and reduced caregiver burden. Results from this pilot trial provide preliminary evidence that African Drumming is an in-expensive, innovative, and culturally meaningful therapeutic mechanism that can result in measurable improvements for people, African Americans in particular, with dementia and their caregivers. Implications for practice and future research in this area will be discussed.